Grand plan to develop Tibet areas

China’s top leaders say Tibet’s development must include Tibetan areas in neighboring provinces - a move likely aimed at tying the region tighter to the rest of the country after deadly riots two years ago. Chinese President Hu Jintao told the first highlevel meeting on Tibet in nine years that the development would require hard work to prevent “penetration and sabotage” by separatists working for Tibet’s independence, the staterun Xinhua News Agency reported late Friday. Hu also said at this week’s meeting that residents’ awareness of being part of China should be constantly enhanced, Xinhua reported. The meeting was the first of its kind since the deadly riots in March 2008, the largest uprising against Chinese rule in decades.